Torpedo depth control



March 14, 1961 H. E. KARIG TORPEDO DEPTH CONTROL Filed June 30, 1948 E ww vw 3 P0 2 E .0

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Z,74,622 Patented Mar. 14, 1961 ice TORPEDO DEPTH CONTROL Horace E. Karig, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed June 30, 1948, Ser. No. 36,171

7 Claims. (Cl. 114-25) This invention relates to a depth control apparatus and system in which air or other fiuid under pressure is utilized as the motivating power for automatically changing the elevator rudder to maintain a torpedo at a predetermined depth on its course.

In those torpedoes which utilize air or other fluid under high pressure for actuating it, the air pressure is usually reduced so that jet means may be directly used to actuate a piston and cylinder engine closely connected to the elevator rudder of the torpedo. This eliminates air relays and pneumatic servo-mechanisms, and makes possible very simple control systems with close connected parts requiring no longer tubular or rod connections which are objectionable in a torpedo.

An important object of the invention is to provide a fluid pressure depth control rudder device for torpedoes, which is actuated automatically by pendulum means for controlling the admission of a high pressure fluid to the device. j

A further object of the invention is to provide a pendulum actuated depth rudder control device for torpedoes, which may be preliminarily set for operation at a predetermined depth of run.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a combined depth setting and pendulum operated means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to a piston and cylinder operating means for the elevational rudder of a torpedo.

Other objects of the invention will apepar in the specification and will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the invention as applied to an elevator rudder of a torpedo;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the pendulum device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of the pivoting means shown inFig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the pres ent depth control system for torpedoes comprises a horizontal elevator rudder 18 mounted upon a fixed horizon tal pivot 12, and shown as a bellcrank having an arm 14 to which one end of an operating link 16 is pivotally con nected. The other end of the link is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 18 mounted centrally on a pivot 20 carried by a projection 22 from an engine cylinder 24. Within the cylinder 24 a piston 26 is movable, having a rod 28 extending through one end and a rod 30 ex- The rod 28 has a transverseslot 32 for engaging a projection 34 at the adjacent end of the lever 18. In therod 30 is a passage 36 extending to the near side of the piston 26 and a passage 38 extending to the far side of the piston, and both communicating with the corresponding chambers of the cylinder.

' .Near the outer end of the piston rod 30 the passages 36 and 38 extend toward each other at the upper side of v the rod and the terminal ports are separated from each other by an angular portion 40 terminating at the outer surface in a sharp edge 42.. This end of the rod 30 is shown as rectangular in shape and is inserted through an opening 43 near the bottom of an upright hollow casing 44 which is secured to and moves with the rod.

Extending through one side wall of the casing 44 is a tubular pivot 46 rotatable therein, closed at the inner end and having a high pressure inlet pipe 48 connected to the outer end. Inside of the casing is a hollow jet tube 50 and outside of the casing is a pendulum 52 both rigidly keyed or otherwise secured to the pivot to rotate therewith. In the wall of the casing is a relief vent 51.

Within the casing 44 near the end of the tubular pivot 46 is an opening (or openings) 53 communicating with the passage 54 inside of the jet tube 56. The lower end of the jet tube is somewhat blunt and it is adapted to fit closely and to swing over the terminal ports of the pas sages 36 and 38 and the sharp edge 42 between them. This end of the jet tube is of a size to partially cover both ports in its central position and to cover either port to a greater degree or entirely when swung in that direction. The tubular pivot 46 extends horizontally, and transversely of the torpedo, so that the pendulum swings forwardly when the front of the torpedo is inclined downwardly, the end of the jet tube 58 covering the port of passage 38, and the pendulum swings rearwardly when the front of the torpedo is inclined upwardly, the jet tube covering the port of passage 36. Thus pressure is admitted through the covered port, or proprortionately to both ports, as the pendulum is moved.

A hydrostatic chamber 55 is represented as enclosed by a casing 56 fixed to the base B,'and subject to hydrostatic pressure through a depth passage 58. In the chamber is a metallic bellows 60 for providing reference pressure, and preferably under vacuum as this elrniinates the effects of temperature changes which may have a considerable effect on depth pressure setting, especially for a torpedo intended for aircraft launching. A metallic bellows also has a constant spring rate over the deflection range required, which can be accurately taken into account in computing depth spring characteristics.

Extending from the bellows 60 is a projecting stem 62, the outer end of which is pivoted to one end of a bellcrank 64 secured to a pivot 65 at its apex rotatable in a fixed support 66. The other end of the bell-crank is pivoted to one end of stem 68 at right angles to the stem 62, the other end of this stem 68 forming an abutment for one end of a partially extended coil spring 70. The other end of the spring engages a washer 72 threaded on a screw 74 extending through the casing 56 and having an adjusting knob 76 at the outside of the casing.

Also secured to the pivot 65 at the outside of the casing 56 is an oprating arm 80 having an outer end pivotally connected to one end of a link 82, the other end of the link being connected to a pivot 84 on the jet tube 50 which is connected by tubular pivot 46 to swing with the pendulum.

With this construction the pendulum may be short so that the cycles of movement will be more frequent. A very slight angular deflection of the torpedo is required for the operation of the control, which results in close regulation at the chosen depth. This method may be considered as a mechanical feed back system whereby proportionability is obtained by the force balance existing between the linked hydrostat and pendulum and depth spring.

In operation, the depth spring is set for the depth desired, the torpedo is launched, and the hydrostat chamber is subject to the depth pressure through passage 58. If the torpedo is too high, pressure in the chamber 55 is relatively low, which will move the bellows stem 62 therefrom through a vent 51 in the housing.

to initiate the operation of the control.

outwardly, pressing the arm 80 in the same-direction. This will rock the jet tube 50 (and the pendulum 52) to the right in Fig. l, by means of link 82, which will direct pressure from the jet passage 54 into the port'to the passage 36 and opening the passage 38 to'allow pressure from within theright end of the cylinder 24 'to exhaust therefrom into the housing 44? and outwardly Pressure is applied to the cylinder chamber at the'left'side (in Fig. l) of the piston 26, which forces itin the opposite direction, thus inclining the rudder downwardly from its pivot through its connection with the piston rod 28. This will cause the front of the torpedo to be' inclined downwardly to a lower level, and the same result is obtained if the front or nose of the torpedo is' inclined upwardly to swing the pendulum '52 to the'right, in Fig. 1. The spring 79 and hydrostat bellows dil together with the pendulum prevent too rapid vibrations of the jet tube 50. V y I When the piston and its rod 30 are moved to the right, the assumed position of the end of the jet tube is gradually overtaken and the angular valve portion 40 divides the discharge from the end of the jet tube, gradually equalizing pressure on both sides of the piston and bringing the rudder and its motivating means to a stop or equilibrium. The movement of the rudder is thus proportional to the variation of the depth mechanism and the pendulum. f i

If the torpedo is at too low a level,'or 'if the front of the torpedo is inclined downwardly, a reverse action takes place. In this case the bellows 60 is partially compressed by the depth pressure, or the pendulum 52 swings forwardly or to the left in Fig. 1." This cause's'the jet tube 50 to be moved to the left covering the port for passage 38 and allowing high pressure from the jet 'tube 50 to actuate the piston 26 from right toward the left and the left cylinder chamber to exhaust from housing vent 51.

tending to direct the front or nose of the torpedo upwardly until it reaches the proper level as determined by the spring setting. 1

Movementof'the piston and itsrod 30 to' the left likewise overtakes the jet tube when moved in that direction, gradually equalizing the pressure on both sides of the piston 26 and bringing the rudder to a smooth stop in 'a position determined by the original amount of variation of the depth control means or the proportionality of such variation. a 1 V By rapid operations of this kind, a torpedo isfldi'rected to and maintained at a proper or predetermined level or height, the rapidity of oscillations or movements of the rudder depending somewhat upon the length or period of movement of the pendulum. In practice, a close regulation of the depth of a torpedo in water is obtained, as an angular deflection of plus or minus one-twelfth of one degree from the horizontal is all that is necessary Iclairn: y I v 1. In depth control apparatus for a torpedo, fa' variable spring biased hydrostatic pressure device' 'a'ctuated' by depth pressure and including a movablemembiergcylin der and piston means for actuating an elevator rudder; a fluid pressure supply; a chamber having ports and passages leading'there'from to the cylinder ends, said chain her being secured to and movable with said piston; a

pendulum movable with said chamber and'rnounted to" swing fore and aft of the torpedo, and 'a -jet' tube.pivote-;l in the chamber and connected for swinging movement with the pendulum, means transmitting motion between said movable member and said pendulum and jet' tube, said jet tube acting to direct fluid pressure into said ports and to exhaust from said. cylinder into the chamber de-:

pending upon the direction thependulum is swung or" is moved by said member. 7, i i f "2.-In Iadepth'control system for torpedoes, a libr'i'zontal d rudder and a piston and cylinder device for actuating the rudder, a hydrostatic device having an adjustable setting spring and a passage for admitting depth pressure and with an arm movable in accordance with the spring and said pressure, a pendulum device connected to said arm and mounted to swing fore and aft, a source of fluid pressure, a chamber movable with the piston, means forming spaced ports in said chamber having passages in the piston leading to the ends of the cylinder, .and a hollow pressure receiving and controlling member in the chamber and connected to move with the pendulum and with an open end for covering differentially moreor less of the ports to change the pressure applied to opposite sides of the piston in said cylinder.

3. In a depth control system for torpedoes, the combination with a. horizontal rudder and a piston and cylinder for moving the rudder, of a hydrostatic device having adjustable depth setting means actuated by depth pressure and an arm movable in accordance therewith, a hollow chamber, a source of high pressure supply, a jet tube secured'to hollow stub shaft .pivotallysupported in 7 said chamber and connected to the pressure supply, conduit means in said chamber for supplying fluid pressure to the ends of the cylinder, said means having adjacent entering ports opposite said jet, and a pendulum secured to said shaft for fore and aft swinging movement in the I torpedo whereby the jet tube will be movable in the chamber from a central position to direct fluid pressure into the ports and conduit means and to uncover a larger portion of either port depending upon the direction of movement of the pendulum.

' 4. In a depth control for torpedoes, a horizontal rudder and a piston and cylinder device for moving it in op-' posite directions, the piston having rodsextending oppositely from the cylinder ends, means connecting one 7 rod with the rudder and passages in the other rod from I The rudder it) is rocked upwardly on its pivot thereby opposite sides of the piston terminating in adjacent ports at one side of the rod, a pressure chamber into which the ported portion of the rod extends, anda pendulum mounted to swing fore and aft and having a fluid pressure jet" tube connected thereto and movable in the chamber to direct fluid pressure into the ports proportionately depending upon the direction of movement of the pendulum.

'5. In a depth control for torpedoes, a horizontal rudder and a piston and cylinder device for moving it in opposite directions, a piston rod extending from one cylinder end having passages extending from opposite sides of the piston and terminating in adjacent ports, at the upper side of the rod, a chamber movable with the rod and extending over the ports,,-a jet tube in the chamber to direct fluid pressure into said ports,'a pendulum pivoted to swing fore and aft and connected to swing the jet tube from a central position communicating with both ports to a proportional division of fluid depending upon the movement of the pendulum.

6. In a depth control for torpedoes, a horizontal rudder and a piston and cylinder devicefor moving it in opposite 1 directions, a piston rod extending from one cylinder end having passages extending from opposite sides-of the piston and terminating in adjacent ports,--at the upperside of the rod, a chamber into which the rod extends exposing the ports and movable'with the rod, a jet tube I to direct fluid pressure into said ports, a pendulumpivoted in the chamber to' swing fore and aft and connected to swing the jet tube therewith, the chamber being movable with the piston rod in a'direction the'same as the movementof'the'rod andtendingto close the port whichcaus'es the movement of the rod and "chamber in that direction, and thereby gradually opposing and overcoming the rnovementof the jet tube and the chamber produced :by the'ipendulurn movement. Y

7. In a depth controlfor torpedoes, a horizontal rudder.

and a'double acting pistonva nd cylinder device fo mov 1 ing it in. opposite directions,fone piston rod extending '75 from the cylinder and having passages extending from opposite sides of the piston and terminating in adjacent ports at the upper side of the outer end of the rod, a hollow casing forming a chamber enclosing the ports and movable with the rod having an exhaust opening in the wall thereof, a pendulum pivoted in the casing to swing fore and aft, a jet tube mounted on the pendulum to swing in the chamber and having an open end movable closely over the ports and overlapping each port the same amount when the pendulum is in normal centered position, and the piston being moved by diiferential pressure at opposite sides thereof when the jet tube is moved from its central position over one port with excess pressure discharging from the other port and through the exhaust opening of the casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,190,871 Dieter July 11, 1916 1,296,332 Shonnard Mar. 4, 1919 1,659,653 Hammond et a1. Feb. 21, 1928 2,104,627 Manteufiel Jan. 4, 1938 2,414,449 Chapin Jan. 21, 1947 2,498,284 Leonard Feb. 21, 1950 

